"The transitional federal institutions are in paralysis. It is high time that this situation was addressed ... and in all seriousness," he said.

"Somalia has not been given required attention either by the United Nations or the international community."

Seyoum Mesfin, the Ethiopian foreign minister, said that Yusuf and his successive prime ministers had "not managed to create any institutions of governance to speak of" since they came to power in December 2006.

"The continuing feud within the leadership ... had contributed to the paralysis of the TFG," he said.

Ethiopian forces helped bring the TFG to power after ousting fighters loyal to the Islamic Courts' Union (ICU) in 2006.

The TFG was formally established in 2004, but its influence did not extend beyond the town of Baidoa until the Ethiopian army entered Somalia nearly two years ago.

Charter to expire

Somalia's transitional federal charter expires next year when a new constitution is to be drafted and elections held, although there is widespread scepticism over whether polls can take place.

Despite pledges from some African governments, only Uganda has contributed significant numbers to a peacekeeping force in the country.

On Sunday, a UN-sponsored peace process in Djibouti announced that a deal had been signed by the transitional government and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia, the main Islamist-dominated opposition group.

The agreement provides for a ceasefire and an Ethiopian troop pullback to begin next month, with security responsibilities gradually handed over to Somali police until a UN peacekeeping force is deployed.

The main Islamist group, which now controls most of southern and central Somalia, rejected the announcement.

The al-Shabab accuses Addis Ababa of occupying Somalia and has refused to negotiate before a full withdrawal is completed.